Sold December 2024 Back to Archive

Of considerable age, we suspect it was built by a man skilled in the trade - a fitter or machinist - with good working knowledge of full size engines.

A double crank compound, the motion turns over fairly stiffly, although without tight spots - unsurprising after many years out of use; cleaning and oiling the motionwork and cylinders we think would be all that is required for it to run on air. The two road gears are selected by means of lever operated dog clutches.

Largely complete, the exhaust pipe from low pressure cylinder to chimney and pressure gauge the only things we noticed missing.

The engine came to us without the canopy fitted, along with more olivers than required. Shown loosely assembled in the photographs, it will need further work to fix permanently.

At some stage the wheels may have had rubber tyres - long since perished, there are traces remaining, stuck to the strakes.

We're really taken with this one, well-proportioned and finely made, it harks back to an earlier age of model engineering, when an amateur's workshop would have been sparsely equipped compared to those we have today.

In deference to its age and condition we have made no attempt to test the boiler, which is likely to be at least 70 years old. The engine needs for nothing more than sympathetic cleaning before putting somewhere to be admired in its retirement!

If anybody has more information about the history of this engine or its builder, we would be pleased to hear from you.

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